Two hours north of Pittsburgh skates a teenager some have been calling the next Sidney Crosby.

A former child prodigy not all that long ago himself, Crosby sees something familiar when 16-year-old Connor McDavid laces up his skates.

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"To be playing in the OHL at such a young age, I think there's a reason for that," said Crosby.

McDavid plays center for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, where players must be at least 16 to play. He's one of three players in league history to be granted exceptional status, making him eligible to play this season at 15. He celebrated his 16th birthday on Jan. 13.

"It's just been crazy," McDavid told Channel 4 Action Sports' John Meyer. "Seems like everything's been on a big scale, just been a whirlwind."

In the past month alone, McDavid has been featured in The New York Times and USA Today.

During the recent NHL lockout, he became the focal point for Canadian media looking for a story.

"When he steps on the ice, 99 times out of 100, he's the best player on the ice," said Victor Fernandes, a hockey beat writer for the Erie Times.

Having covered the Otters for the past nine seasons, Fernandes has seen the best the OHL has to offer.

"They talk about, is he as advertised? Is it all hype? Well, he's as advertised, and that much more," said Fernandes.

McDavid said he doesn't let the pressure get to him.

"I would say the hardest person on me is me," he said.

As an OHL player, McDavid is given a stipend of $50 per week, hardly enough to ease the adjustment of life four hours away from his hometown in Newmarket, Ontario, or living with the title of hockey's "Next One."

"(We) just had a Connor McDavid poster night in Erie. It was crazy. I don't think I've ever signed so many autographs in my life," he said.

According to reports, McDavid has agreed to a contract with Reebok, similar to the one Crosby signed when he was 17. McDavid could earn $2 million before he even enters the NHL Draft in 2015.

"You know, my agent is Bobby Orr, and he said, 'Your career is a long road, but try to enjoy roses on the side,'" said McDavid.

And some of the biggest names in hockey are taking note of McDavid's blooming career, like a few months ago when he was driving to the movies with teammates and received a call from an unknown number.

"It's Wayne Gretzky," McDavid recalled. "Shut up and turn down the music."

He and his teammates were also invited to watch a Penguins game at Consol Energy Center from the box of team owner Mario Lemieux. After the game, they got to meet Crosby, a former "Next One."

"It was totally unexpected. Crosby's my idol, so to meet him was crazy," said McDavid.

Crosby, who was born in 1987, wears No. 87. McDavid, who was born in 1997, wears No. 97.

"The way he handles himself in the media and the way he performs on the ice is the way I want to be, and he's the perfect role model for me," said McDavid.

"We all had role models, and looked up to people growing up," said Crosby. "So if I can be that for him, then that's a huge compliment."